Verna McMORRIS

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McMORRIS: Peacefully after a brief illness, Verna Beth McMorris (nee Todd) of Boissevain, MB, passed away at the Brandon Regional Health Centre on January 10, 2009, at the age of 92. Verna was born on the Todd family farm south of Harding, Manitoba on May 20, 1916. She attended Education Point, Harding and Kenton Schools. She then went to Normal School in Brandon and received her Teacher’s Certificate. She taught for several years and then returned home to help her parents on the farm while her brother, Lloyd, was serving overseas during the War. Upon his return, Verna resumed teaching, this time at Buttrum School near Dunrea where she met Bill McMorris. On July 12, 1947 Bill and Verna were married at Knox United Church in Brandon. They farmed south of Dunrea and then in 1961 purchased their farm north of Boissevain. In 1978 they retired to Boissevain. All of Verna’s life she had a passion for gardening and especially loved growing flowers and houseplants! She was an active member of the Boissevain Horticultural Society and the Turtle Mountain Agricultural Society. She spent many hours working at Flower Shows and Fairs, as well as exhibiting at them. She was also a member of the rural community Royal-Dunallen Good Neighbours Group. Verna was very active in her church including Shiloh, Rowland and then St. Paul’s United in Boissevain. She was a Lifetime Member of the UCW (United Church Women). She volunteered at the Thrift Shop and visited shut-ins even past her 85th birthday! She lived out her faith in all that she did. She was always thinking of others and constantly made her friends and family feel special with a phone call, a note or a “care package” of baking. Verna’s family meant the world to her. Special occasions and family activities were a very important part of her life. She led by example and taught us all to live life to the fullest and make the best of every situation, to serve others, to think positively and never to complain. “Always look on the bright side” was one of her favourite sayings. She was always thankful and spoke kindly to others, finding good in everyone. Verna was predeceased by her brother, Lloyd, in 1954, her mother, Laura, in 1971 and her father, Gordon, in 1972. Verna is survived and will be deeply missed by her loving husband of 61 1Ž2 years, Bill; daughters, Donna (Delmar) Reid of Russell, Manitoba and Muriel (Stan) Good of Boissevain; grandchildren Lorissa (Orland) Cook of Russell, Devin (Maria) Reid of Winnipeg, Scott (Kristi) Good of Brooks, AB, and Julie Good of Brandon; great-grandchildren, Rylan and Reid Cook of Russell and Carsyn and Chelsea Good of Brooks; brothers-in-law, John McMorris of Souris and Marshall McMorris of Deloraine as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. A Memorial Service was held on Wednesday, January 14th, 2009 at St. Paul’s United Church, Boissevain with Rev. Colin Grambo officiating. Interment followed in the Boissevain Cemetery. Donations in memory of Verna may be made to the Boissevain Communities in Bloom in care of “Town of Boissevain”, Box 490, Boissevain, Manitoba, R0K 0E0 or a charity of your own choice. Killarney and Boissevain Funeral Home in care of arrangements.

As published in Brandon Sun on Jan 24, 2009